10 reasons to salute L.A.'s promising transportation future

CaptionUnion Station

Los Angeles Times

Metro chief Arthur Leahy remembers entering a virtually abandoned Union Station as a young bus operator in the early '70s in search of a bathroom. Today, Union Station is buzzing with commuters from the Gold, Red and Purple lines, MetroLink, Amtrak, Flyaway to LAX and the bus routes through...

Metro chief Arthur Leahy remembers entering a virtually abandoned Union Station as a young bus operator in the early '70s in search of a bathroom. Today, Union Station is buzzing with commuters from the Gold, Red and Purple lines, MetroLink, Amtrak, Flyaway to LAX and the bus routes through... (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles' 5th CicLAvia festival shattered even the planners' expectations last year when more than 100,000 bicyclists hit the streets of downtown on Oct. 7. It is amazing to see how many bicycles can fit on a six-lane road, and how much quieter 100 bikes are than a few cars. Through the...

Los Angeles' 5th CicLAvia festival shattered even the planners' expectations last year when more than 100,000 bicyclists hit the streets of downtown on Oct. 7. It is amazing to see how many bicycles can fit on a six-lane road, and how much quieter 100 bikes are than a few cars. Through the... (Los Angeles Times)

In order for public transportation to thrive, the benefits of taking public transportation need to outweigh the benefits of driving. The Westside subway will meet this criteria. The 101, 10 and 405 freeways are drastically congested during rush hour, and the east-west arterial streets of the...

In order for public transportation to thrive, the benefits of taking public transportation need to outweigh the benefits of driving. The Westside subway will meet this criteria. The 101, 10 and 405 freeways are drastically congested during rush hour, and the east-west arterial streets of the... (Los Angeles Times)

This line has not only been a success because it attracts tourists and ridership swells on USC football game days; its daily ridership has smashed expectations and is still rising. One of the primary roles of a transit service provider is to connect the cultural dots of a city. As the...

This line has not only been a success because it attracts tourists and ridership swells on USC football game days; its daily ridership has smashed expectations and is still rising. One of the primary roles of a transit service provider is to connect the cultural dots of a city. As the... (Los Angeles Times)

The new High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes on the 110 and 10 freeways are a prime example of the types of forward-thinking carbon-use fees that will not only work to mitigate carbon use but also provide disincentives to driving. The message is clear: Driving will continue to get more expensive...

The new High Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes on the 110 and 10 freeways are a prime example of the types of forward-thinking carbon-use fees that will not only work to mitigate carbon use but also provide disincentives to driving. The message is clear: Driving will continue to get more expensive... (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles is often criticized for being a transportation nightmare, but there are many reasons to be optimistic. The city is leading the way with creative and thoughtful developments and initiatives that will probably be replicated in car-centric cities around the world as they shift toward...